At Friday’s lunch in honor of the Indies Choice Book Awards, children’s writers Neil Gaiman, winner of the Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book, and Jon Scieszka, an Engaging Author honoree, came up with a way to turn the table and honor booksellers. Gaiman announced a competition, which he developed on the spot. The bookseller with the best Graveyard theme Halloween party (send photos to publisher HarperCollins) will win an appearance with him this holiday season. The 10 runnersup will receive a signed poster. Not to be outdone, when it was Scieszka’s turn to speak, he noted that “by coincidence,” Penguin Books is doing the exact same thing, with a Knucklehead party. Ten runners-up will receive posters; another 15 booksellers will get a note from his mom.

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